On September 11, 2001, in a series of coordinated suicide attacks using four hijacked commercial airplanes, members of Al Queda killed nearly 3,000 people along with themselves on U.S. soil.The hijackers crashed two airplanes into the twin World Trade Center buildings in New York, collapsing both. They crashed another one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. They crashed the final one into a field in rural Pennsylvania after a struggle ensued with the passengers and crew.
All onboard the four airplanes died in the attacks, along with those who were trapped in the buildings. Hundreds of rescue workers (firefighters, emergency workers, police officers, and paramedics) also died during rescue and recovery efforts. It remains unclear how many others died of illness resulting from exposure to dust from the WTC collapse.
Since then, several memorials have been erected in various parts of the country to honor the victims.
Construction of a national memorial is currently underway in the spot where the WTC buildings stood. An artist's rendering is depicted above.
Now, in addition to having a home in our hearts and minds, they will have a symbolic home that reflects their absence.
